Crops Flashcards

1
Q

How many acres?

A

658 of tillable acres

Corn - 150 acres
Dry corn - 175
alfalfa - 195
soybean - 128
wheat - 33
grass for dry bales - 22

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2
Q

What family does corn belong to?

A

Zea mays

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3
Q

what are the 3 forms of corn feed used?

A
  1. Corn silage
  2. Dry corn
  3. High moisture corn
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4
Q

when is corn planted in rotation?

A

it is planted after alfalfa in the same field for 3-4 years depending on crop yield & quality.

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5
Q

What nutrients do corn require the most ?

A

nitrogen, phosphorus & potassium

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6
Q

talk about soil sampling?

A

the Radue’s get their soils sampled every year in a rotational system meaning each field will be tested once every three years. They select to test for nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, organic matter & pH levels on their soil to plan for nutrient & fertiliser management.

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7
Q

Cultivation & seedbed prep for Corn?

A

The land is ploughed using a chisel plough in Autumn to a depth of 6-8 inches after spreading slurry.

It is then left until Spring where we go in with a vertical disk to level out the land, this goes 2 inches deep.

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8
Q

How much corn is sown to the acre?

A

30,000 seeds of corn per acre

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9
Q

How is Corn sown?

A

Corn is sown using a corn sower at 30,000 seeds to the acre sown at a depth of 1.5-2 inches. When the weather is ideally 10 degrees Celsius. Once sown start up fertiliser is spread at a rate of 100 pounds per acre.

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10
Q

What is the ideal temperature for sowing corn?

A

10 degrees Celsius

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11
Q

how far does a vertical disk go into the ground?

A

2 inches

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12
Q

What rate & depth is Corn sown at and when?

A

30,000 seeds per acre at a depth of 1.5-2 inches sown in May when it is 10 degrees celsius.

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13
Q

During what growth stage should herbicides be applied to Corn?

A

Vegetative stage 6 (V6)

It is a good time to spread potential herbicides as there is criticial nutrient uptake at this time.

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14
Q

When should you apply nitrogen to Corn?

A

Anytime between V5-V12 nitrogen should be applied to corn. Once the corn has grown to be 3ft tall apply another round of nitrogen.

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15
Q

what rates should starter fertiliser be applied to corn at?

A

starter fert is applied at the rate of 100 pounds per acre

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16
Q

When should you apply the second round of fertiliser to corn?

A

Once the corn has reached 3 ft in height another round of nitrogen is applied, in a 2x2 spacing next to the seed.

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17
Q

What herbicide is required for Corn and why?

A

Glyphosate & Dicambia are applied to the corn on the farm and to over half of all the corn planted in the USA for weed control.

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18
Q

Example of an invasive weed with Corn?

A

The giant ragweed. A mix of glyphospate & Dicambia prevent the giant rag weed.

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19
Q

What pests affect corn?

A

Cut & root worms. havent had an issue for 3+ years so not spraying against them anymore.

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20
Q

Why/when is fungicide applied to corn?

A

Fungicide is applied in early August if there is signs of Northern Corn Leaf blight. They havent had issues for 3+ years so they dont apply unless required.

21
Q

When is corn silage harvested & how is it stored?

A

corn silage is harvested in Autumn. The entire plant minus the end 8 inches goes into the chopper & is chopped to about 3/4inches in length. A roller then compresses the corn kernels so it is available to the papillae in the stomach.

Stored in a pile at 62-70% moisture/

22
Q

What is the ideal moisture for storage of corn silage?

A

62-70%

23
Q

What moisture % is high moisture corn harvested at?

A

30% moisture

24
Q

How is high moisture corn harvested & stored?

A

harvested at 30& moisture. ground up very fine in a grinder before being stored in an ag bag.

25
Q

why is dry corn used?

A

It is used as a starch energy source in the cows diet. It also ups the butterfat production.

26
Q

What is the ideal dry corn moisture levels?

A

15% moisture when ground down

27
Q

How is dry corn harvested?

A

Dry corn is harvested the same as high moisture. It generally has a moisture content of 20-23% & it is then sent to the mill for drying to 15%, it is stored at the local mill for a charge of 8c per bushel.

28
Q

What are the crop returns for Corn?

A

20-22 tonne per acre.

29
Q

What use does soybeans have?

A

protein source in feed - soybean is 48% protein

30
Q

When is soybean planted in a crop rotation?

A

after corn

31
Q

what percentage protein does soybean bring to the feed?

A

40% protein in the feed

32
Q

When do you sow soybean?

A

Mid May-Early June

using a drill 1 inch into soil, 7 inches apart
Roller follows after

33
Q

What herbicide is used on Soybeans?

A

pre-emergence is used

34
Q

What pests/disease affect soybeans??

A

No diseases or pesticides used.
There is spider mites that eat the leaves but no hassle with them.

35
Q

Harvest with Soybeans?

A

Combined in late Sept/Early Oct.
When the beans are 13-14% moisture.
stored in the mill for 8 c per bushel.

36
Q

Crop returns on soybeans?

A

Can range from 40-80 bushels an acre. 55 bushels per acre is their average.

37
Q

How does Alfalfa contribute to animal feed?

A

used instead of our grass silage.
19-24% protein
7% fibre

38
Q

When is alfalfa planted in a rotation?

A

after corn. nitrogen & potassium required

39
Q

Wha fert is applied to Alfalfa?

A

Pot ash for pottasium

40
Q

What pest affects alfalfa?

A

potato leaf hopper

41
Q

When do you sow alfalfa?

A

April. drill 6 inches apart 1/2 an inch deep. 18-20 pounds to an acre.

42
Q

When do you harvest alfalfa?

A

you have to get it pre-emergence. then cut every 28 days 4-5 times. around 3rd of may. RFQ 160-170

43
Q

What are crop returns on alfalfa?

A

5-6tonnes of DM a year. $200 per tonne

44
Q

When is wheat planted in the crop rotation?

A

after 4 years of alfalfa. Using the no till method in autumn drilled directly on top of old alfalfa & rolled

45
Q

What fertiliser is used for Wheat?

A

slurry & 200lbs of urea

46
Q

What herbicide is used on Wheat?

A

2-4D herbicide. No pesticides.

47
Q

When is wheat harvested?

A

July. Late this year from the wet weather.
Ideal 13-14% moisture.
Straw bailed.

48
Q

What are the crop returns on wheat.

A

Avg of 80 bushels per acre at $5 a bushel.